Multi-view electronic displays in retail environments

ABSTRACT

A system and method configuring an electronic fixture display assembly may include providing a support extension member. At least three extension arms may be supported from the support extension member, where the at least three extension arms may be configured (i) to support respective electronic displays, and (i) to be rotatably positionable relative to the support extension member.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/348,784 filed May 27, 2010, the entirecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

Advertising messaging in retail stores has traditionally been performedusing paper advertisements. These paper advertisements, however, aregenerally understood to be promotional advertisements. Over the pastcouple of decades, attempts have been made to leverage electronicdisplays to deliver video advertising to shoppers within retail stores.Over the years, electronic displays have been used to present videomessaging in retail stores. There have been a number of differentconfigurations of electronic displays or what has been traditionallyknown as digital out-of-home media or dynamic signage. For example,electronic displays may be mounted at cash registers, on store shelves,on walls, from ceilings, and so on.

In some cases, electronic displays are positioned in store aislesbecause shoppers are limited to traversing in a linear manner (i.e., onedirection or the other). To ensure that shoppers traveling in eitherdirection can view the video content, the electronic displays have beenplaced back-to-back to ensure shoppers can view the content traveling ineither direction. Wander areas or non-linear travel departments, such asproduce sections in grocery stores, however, allow shoppers freemovement in nearly any direction. In these wander areas, placingelectronic displays facing opposite directions (i.e., back-to-back) doesnot guarantee that the electronic displays will be positioned in theline-of-sight of shoppers who travel in a linear or non-linear mannerthrough the wander, area. Furthermore, as some store layouts, such asmass merchants, have significant portions of the store configurationsset up as wander areas, the ability to ensure that substantially everyshopper has the ability to view an electronic display as they traversethrough the wander areas becomes very difficult.

Support fixtures for electronic displays can be large and expensive,both in terms of cost of the fixture itself and cost for installation.For example, large format televisions (e.g., 30-inches or larger), whichhave traditionally be hung from retail store ceilings, require sturdysupport fixtures to support the weight of the televisions, especially iftwo are placed back-to-back. To install the support these fixtures, as aresult of the weight and complexity of electrical and communicationswiring, multiple people are required to perform the installation. Inmost cases, the electrical work is custom due to the support fixturesnot accommodating the myriad of electrical wiring configurationsrequired for diverse field installations.

SUMMARY

To ensure that shoppers within a wander area of retail stores have theability to view an electronic display as they travel through the wanderarea, the principles of the present invention provide for a multi-viewdisplay cluster including at least three electronic displays. Dependingon the configuration of the wander area, the electronic displays in themulti-view display cluster may be oriented such that shoppers travelingthrough the wander area have an opportunity to view an electronicdisplay regardless of the direction of travel. In one embodiment, afixture extending from a ceiling may be configured with at least threeelectronic displays facing different angular directions. For example, ifthree electronic displays are used, then relative angles in which theelectronic displays are directed may be 120 degrees. However, dependingupon the position of the multi-view display, the relative angles betweenthe displays forming the multi-view display cluster may be non-uniform.For example, if a multi-view display cluster is configured with threeelectronic displays, the relative angles between the electronic displaysmay be other than 120 degrees.

Furthermore, to better ensure that a shopper traveling through thewander area has an opportunity to view a display, the multi-view displaycluster may be positioned above goods being offered for sale (e.g.,display of fruit) so that as shoppers approach the goods being offeredfor sale, the shoppers have an opportunity of viewing one of theelectronic displays in the multi-view display cluster. In addition, bypositioning the multi-view display cluster above a product display,shoppers will not be able to walk directly below the multi-view displaycluster, thereby maximizing the ability for shoppers to view anelectronic display of the multi-view display cluster and reduce theability for shoppers to damage the electronic displays eitherintentionally or unintentionally. However, whether or not the contentfeatures products that may be nearby, the multi-view display deliversmaximum viewing in the wander area to shoppers of all advertisements andmessages. Each display in the multi-view display clusters may bedirected toward pathways, if any, that lead toward the multi-viewdisplay cluster. In one embodiment, to reduce background visual “noise,”a border area may extend radially outward from each electronic display.In addition, the border area may be a “flat” color (e.g., brushedsilver) so that the images displayed on the electronic displays standout from any objects behind the electronic displays, thereby causing ashopper's attention to be focused on the content rather than objectsbehind the display.

The electronic displays in the multi-view display cluster may berelatively small (e.g., 13-inch diagonal displays) to be light weight,thereby enabling a fixture assembly used to support the electronicdisplays to also be light weight, relatively simple in design, andinexpensive to manufacture and install. In one embodiment, extensionarms used to support the electronic displays may be formed of a lightweight material, such as sheet metal, thereby making the overall weightof the multi-view display cluster cost effective and light weight.

One embodiment of a multi-view electronic display fixture assembly mayinclude a support extension member defining an axis extendinglongitudinally through the support extension member. At least threeextension arms may be configured to (i) be supported by the supportextension member when extended from a ceiling and (u) extend outwardfrom the extension member. The at least three extension members mayfurther be configured to be independently rotatable about the axis.Mounting structures may be positioned at an end of the at least threeextension arms opposite from the support extension member from which theat least three extension arms are supported. The mounting structures maybe configured to respectively support electronic display devices.

A system and method configuring an electronic fixture display assemblymay include providing a support extension member. At least threeextension arms may be supported from the support extension member, wherethe at least three extension arms may be configured (i) to supportrespective electronic displays, and (i) to be rotatably positionablerelative to the support extension member.

One embodiment of a method for installing a multi-view display clusterin a retail environment may include connecting a safety tether to ajoist that supports a ceiling of a building. A bracket connected to thesafety tether may be mounted to a suspended ceiling support. Themounting may include placing ends of the bracket on top of the suspendedceiling support (e.g., across two individual suspended ceilingsupports). The bracket may include an electrical box connected thereto.An opening in a member of the dropped ceiling may be created if one doesnot exist. An the electrical outlet box may be aligned with the anopening in the suspended ceiling. The electrical outlet box may beconfigured to provide power to at least three electronic displays of themulti-view display cluster. Electrical conductors may be electricallyconnected from the electrical box to a power supply in a power outletbox of the multi-view display cluster. The power outlet box may bemechanically connected to the electrical box, where the power outlet boxmay be aligned with and positioned below the opening in the suspendedceiling. A support extension member may be supported from the electricaloutlet box. At least two electrical conductors may be connected to anoutput of the power outlet box. A display mounting bracket may besuspended from the extension support member, where the display mountingbracket may be configured to support at least three electronic displays.The at least three electronic displays may be connected to the displaymounting bracket if not already connected. The at least two electricalconductors may be electrically connected to the at least threeelectronic displays.

One embodiment of a power outlet box for housing electronics andpowering electronic displays suspended in a retail environment mayinclude a first housing portion including a first set of verticalsupport features and a second set of vertical support features. A secondhousing portion may include a third set of vertical support features anda fourth set of vertical support features. The power outlet box may have(i) a closed configuration when the first and third sets of verticalsupport features are aligned and (ii) an open configuration when thesecond and fourth set of vertical support features are in contact withone another. The second set of vertical support features may be adaptedto support the fourth set of vertical support features when the poweroutlet box is in the open configuration. A power supply device may befixedly positioned within the power outlet box when in the closedconfiguration.

One embodiment of a method for installing a power outlet box forpowering an electronic display device being suspended from the poweroutlet box may include suspending the power outlet box from a ceiling,where the power outlet box includes multiple portions. The power outletbox may be opened to be in an open configuration. The open configurationmay be maintained by a first portion of the power outlet boxgravitationally supporting a second portion of the power outlet box soas to enable a user to work within the power outlet box. The poweroutlet box may be electrically connected to a power source to power apower supply fixedly attached within the power outlet box. Theelectronic display may be electrically connected to the power supply.The power outlet box may be closed to be in a closed configuration. Theelectronic display device may be suspended from the power outlet box.

One method for generating media metrics in a retail environment mayinclude arranging multiple electronic displays along aisles of a retailenvironment, and arranging at least one multi-view electronic displaycluster including at least three electronic displays in at least onewander area of the retail environment. The electronic displays arrangedalong the aisles and wander area may be arranged to present a shopperduring a shopping trip in the retail environment with each message amongmultiple repeating messages displayed substantially simultaneously onthe electronic displays a predicted number of multiple times. Thepredicted number of multiple times may be three. Arranging theelectronic displays in the aisles and electronic displays of themulti-view electronic display cluster may include arranging theelectronic displays at substantially the same height above a floor ofthe retail environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the presentinvention may be obtained by reference to the following DetailedDescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawingswherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrations of a retail environment in whichillustrative multi-view display clusters respectively including threeand five electronic displays for display of content;

FIG. 2A is an illustration of a retail environment from a perspectiveabove a suspended ceiling with an illustrative display bracket used forsupporting a multi-view display cluster is shown;

FIG. 2B is an illustration of the retail environment from a perspectivebelow the suspended ceiling of FIG. 2A is shown;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an illustrative retail environment with awander area in which a multi-view display cluster is shown;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an illustrative retail store having shopperaisles and a wander area in which, one or more multi-view displayclusters may be positioned;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustration of an illustrative multi-viewdisplay fixture assembly configured to support three electronicdisplays;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an assembled view of the multi-view displayfixture assembly of FIG. 5 with one electronic display being supportedthereby;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an alternative illustrative multi-viewdisplay cluster;

FIGS. 8A-8E is an illustration of an illustrative power outlet boxconfigured to house a power supply for powering electronic displays on amulti-view display cluster;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an illustrative process for installing amulti-view display cluster in a retail environment;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an illustrative process for installing apower outlet box for powering an electronic display device beingsuspended from the power outlet box;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With regard to FIG. 1A, an illustration of a retail environment 100 a inwhich an illustrative multi-view display cluster 102 a is shown. Themulti-view display cluster 102 a includes three electronic displays 104a-104 c (collectively 104) that are angled at different planar anglesrelative to a center axis between the electronic displays. Theelectronic displays 104 are mounted to and supported by a multi-viewelectronic display fixture assembly 106 (“multi-view fixture”). In oneembodiment, the multi-view fixture 106 may be configured to provide forpositionable angles, such that the electronic displays may beindividually rotated or otherwise positioned around the center axisdefined by a support extension member 108. By the electronic displaysbeing individually positionable, a retailer or network manager mayadjust position of the electronic displays 104 during installation tomaximize view angles of the electronic displays 104 by shoppers who aretraveling through a wander area or non-linear travel department.Alternatively, the multi-view fixture 106 may have continuous rotationability around the center axis or have fixed angular positions at whichthe electronic displays 104 may be set.

The electronic displays 104, as shown, may have border areas 112 a-112 c(collectively 112) that extend radially outward from the electronicdisplays 104 so as to frame or border the images on the electronicdisplays 104 and reduce visual “clutter” or “noise” beyond theelectronic displays 104 when viewed from the front. The border areas 112may be a “flat” color, such as brushed silver or any other color, whichenables a shopper to focus his or her attention on the content beingdisplayed on the electronic displays 104. Although the electronicdisplay cluster 102 is shown to include three electronic displays 104extending from a center axis, the principles of the present inventionprovide for more than three electronic displays, such as five, as shownin the retail environment 100 b of FIG. 1B with the multi-view fixture102 b.

The support extension member 108 (e.g., hollow pole) may extend frompower outlet box (not shown) that is mounted to or supported by abracket, which may include an electrical box (see FIGS. 2A-2B),extending through the suspended ceiling 110. In one embodiment, thebracket may be a conventional bracket that is connected to the suspendedceiling 110 by attaching to T-channels or J-channels 114 of thesuspended ceiling 110 and secured by chains to a joist (not shown) abovethe suspended ceiling 110, as understood in the art. The supportextension member 108 may both structurally support the multi-viewdisplay cluster 102 by attaching to the bracket and power the electronicdisplays 104 using electrical conductors, such as wires, that carryelectrical power to the electronic displays.

With regard to FIG. 2A, an illustration of a retail environment 200 froma perspective above a suspended ceiling 202 with an illustrative supportbracket 204 used for supporting a multi-view display cluster is shown.The display bracket 204 may be a conventional support bracket that isused for suspending ceiling fans and lighting. In one embodiment, thesupport bracket 204 may be an Arlington Industries support bracket withmodel number FS420SCL. As shown, the support bracket 204 may include abracket member 206 that spans across and is supported by a suspendedceiling grid 208. The support bracket 204 may include an electrical box210 that is configured to provide strain relief to electrical conductors(e.g., wires) (see FIG. 2B) that receive electrical power via storeelectrical power lines (not shown). As understood in the art, thesupport bracket 204 includes a safety tether 212, such as a heavy-dutychain, that is wrapped around a ceiling or roofing joist (not shown). Itshould be understood that alternative support brackets may be utilizedin accordance with the principles of the present invention.

With regard to FIG. 2B, an illustration of the retail environment from aperspective below the suspended ceiling 202 of FIG. 2A is shown. Thesuspended ceiling 202 is shown to include ceiling tiles 202 a-202 n(collectively 202). Ceiling tile 202 e is shown to have an opening 214created therein so that the electrical box 210 may be exposed.Electrical conductors 216 that extend through and are supported by theelectrical box 210 may be connected to a power conductor in a poweroutlet box, as further described herein, to power electronic displays ofa multi-view display cluster. The electrical box 210 may also be used tosupport the multi-view display cluster by connecting the power outletbox directly to the electrical box 210 using fastening hardware (e.g.,screws). Because the multi-view display cluster is relatively lightweight due to the electronic displays and support hardware or multi-viewfixture being light weight, such a support configuration may beachieved. And, because the support bracket configuration is relativelystandard (e.g., a similar configuration is used for ceiling fans andlighting), installation time and cost is low as compared to installationof large format electronic displays.

With regard to FIG. 3, an isometric view of an illustrative retailenvironment 300 with a wander area 302 in which a multi-view displaycluster 304 is shown. A product display 306 is shown to have themulti-view display cluster 304 suspended thereabove. In an alternativeembodiment, the multi-view display cluster 304 may be suspended overwalk areas. The multi-view display cluster 304 may be supported by apower outlet box 308 connected to an electrical box 310 supported by abracket member 312 that is positioned above a suspended ceiling 314, asdescribed with regard to FIGS. 2A and 2B. The bracket member 312 mayinclude a safety tether 316 that connects to joist(s) 318 that supportthe suspended ceiling 314 or roof to prevent the multi-view displaycluster 304 from falling.

In one embodiment, the power outlet box 308 may be configured to includetwo substantially reciprocal portions of a box, including an upper boxand a lower box, as shown further herein. In one embodiment, a supportextension member 320, such as a hollow tube, may extend from the poweroutlet box 310 to the multi-view display cluster 304 to (i) support themulti-view display cluster 304 and (ii) provide power to electronicdisplays 322 a-322 c (collectively 322) via conductive wires (not shown)that may extend through the support extension member 320 from outputterminals (not shown) of the power outlet box 308. That is, a powersupply (not shown) housed in the power outlet box 308 may convert and/orcondition power received from the electrical system of the retail storeand provide conditioned power to the electronic displays 322. It shouldbe understood that communication cables and wires may also be routed viathe support extension member 320.

With regard to FIG. 4, a top view illustration of an illustrative retailstore 400 having shopper aisles 402 a-402 f (collectively 402) and awander area 404 is shown. The wander area 404 may include one or moreproduct displays 406 a-406 b (collectively 406) on which products (e.g.,vegetables, fruits, etc.) are presented to shoppers for purchase. Abovethe product displays 406 may be multi-view display clusters 408 a and408 b (collectively 408) that are configured in a “hub and spoke”configuration. As shown, multi-view display cluster 408 a includes fiveelectronic displays and multi-view display cluster 408 b includes threeelectronic displays. It should be understood that each may have the sameor different number, and that the determination for how many electronicdisplays may be based on shopper path measurement metrics and otherfactors, as further described herein. Electronic displays 410 a-410 n(collectively 410) may be connected to the end of spokes or extensionarms 412 being supported by hubs or support extension members 414. Theextension arms 412, as previously described, may be configured to enablethe electronic displays 410 to be rotated or positioned at differentangles or planar orientations relative to the support extension members412 to enable shoppers to view the associated electronic displays as theshoppers travel toward the product display from any direction.Adjustable brackets or hinges (not shown) may be positioned on the endof the extension arms 412 are attached to enable the electronic displays410 to be adjusted in elevation and/or azimuth angles. By being able toadjust horizontal, azimuth, and elevation angles, shoppers travelingtoward the product displays 406 via shopper paths 416 may view theelectronic displays 410 in a substantially perpendicular manner. As theelectronic displays 410 may have a wide viewing angle, a shopper doesnot have to be directly perpendicular from the electronic displays 410to be able to adequately view content being displayed thereon. It shouldbe understood that multi-view display clusters may not be positionedover each product display and still have the ability for a certainpercentage of shoppers to have an opportunity to view each advertisementor message being displayed on the electronic display network apredetermined number of times, as further described herein and inco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/368,232, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The electronic displays 410 that are suspended in the wander area 404may be positioned at substantially the same height from the floor aselectronic displays 418 a-418 n within the aisles 402. By positioningthe electronic displays 410 and 418 at substantially the same height,shoppers who are in either the aisles 402 or wander area 404 may becomeaccustomed to observing, either actively or passively, content beingdisplayed on the electronic displays 410 and 418. In terms of beingsubstantially the same height, the electronic displays 410 and 418 maybe offset by a few inches without being noticeable to a shopper.

Multi-View Electronic Display Fixture Assembly

With regard to FIG. 5, an exploded view illustration of an illustrativemulti-view display fixture assembly 500 is shown. The multi-view displayfixture assembly 500, when supporting electronic displays, is considereda multi-view display cluster, as previously shown and described. Themulti-view display fixture assembly 500 includes a support extensionmember 502 and may include three or more extension arms, in this casethree extension arms 504 a-504 c (collectively 504). The supportextension member 502 may be formed of a stiff material, such as metal orplastic, and have an opening extending axially therethrough to enableelectrical conductors, such as, wires, to extend through the opening.The support extension member 502 may be a tube, as understood in theart.

The extension arms 504 may be supported by the support extension member502 by using extension arm clamp plates 506 a and 506 b (collectively506) in combination with an extension arm clamp bracket 508. Theextension arms 504 are shown to extend radially from the supportextension member 502. It should be understood that alternativeconfigurations of the extension arms 504 may be utilized, such hassloping, curving, or having an alternative shape. The clamp plates 506and clamp bracket 508 may be configured to clamp the extension arms 504with enough force to support the extension arms 504 while providing forthe extension arms 504 to rotate. In the instant configuration, theextension arms 504 rotate about an axis defined by the support extensionmember 502. Alternative repositionable or adjustable configurations maybe utilized in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Each of the extension arms 504 are shown to include respective mountingstructures 510 a-510 c (collectively 510) that are used to mount andsupport electronic displays. The mounting structures 510 may includebracket portions 512 a-512 c (collectively 512) and coupling portions514 a-514 c (collectively 514). Openings 516 a-516 c may be utilized incombination with fastening hardware (e.g., screws) to connect theelectronic displays to the mounting structures 510. The configurationand material of the coupling portions 514 may allow for electronicdisplays mounted to the bracket portions 512 to be adjusted in azimuth(i.e., rotated side to side) and elevation (i.e., rotated up and down)orientations. In one embodiment, the extension arms 504 and mountingstructures 510 may be formed from a single piece of material, such assheet metal or cold rolled sheet steel (e.g., cold rolled sheet steel 10ga, 16 ga, or otherwise), as understood in the art. Depending on theweight of the electronic display that the extension arms are to support,the thickness of the material may increase or decrease to maximize costefficiency and prevent or minimize bending or distortion over time. Ifsheet metal or comparable metal or material is used, then the mountingstructures may be adjusted in azimuth and elevation by simply bending ortwisting the coupling portions 514. Because no fastening members areutilized to adjust orientation of the electronic displays, the cost ofproduction is essentially the cost to cut (e.g., laser cut) or stamp thepart, as no additional parts (e.g., fastening hardware, hinges, joints,etc) are utilized, thereby making the extension arms 504 very costeffective (e.g., a few dollars). The coupling portions 514 may bemachine bent at a pre-set angle or bent during installation at a retailstore. It should be understood that alternative configurations ofmounting structures may be utilized in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention and provide for the same or similar functionality,including affixing separate mounting structures to the extension arms504.

As further shown, the extension arms 504 define openings 518 a-518 c(collectively 518) at an end opposite that of the mounting structures510. The openings 518 provide for the extension arm clamp plates 506 tofasten to one another and revolve around fastening members used by theclamp plates 506, as described below.

Extension arm clamp plate 506 a is shown to include multiple fasteningmembers 520 that extend perpendicularly from the clamp plate 506 a. Thefastening members 520 may be studs, such as threaded studs or PEM studs,and be partially threaded or have other fastening features that enablereciprocal fastening members 522, such as threaded nuts or PEM nuts, toengage and secure to the fastening members 520. Once fastened, theextension arms 504 are sandwiched between the clamp plates 506. Asshown, clamp plate 506 b defines openings 524 through which thefastening members 520 extend. Both of the clamp plates 506 defineopenings 526 a and 526 b through which the support extension member 502may extend, if desired. The clamp plate 506 b may further define a slotor channel 528 that extends completely or partially through the clampplate 506 b, thereby enabling conductors, such as wires, to be routedbetween the extension arm 504 a and clamp bracket 508 when the fixtureassembly 500 is assembled. Alternatively, rather than the clamp plate506 b including a channel 528, the support extension member 502 maydefine an opening (not shown) just above the clamp bracket 508 to enableconductors to exit so as to be more aesthetically pleasing than runningdown the outside length of the support extension member 502.

The clamp bracket 508 may include a base portion 530 that definesopenings 532 that are aligned with the openings 524 and fasteningmembers 520. The openings 532 may enable the fastening members 520 or aportion thereof to extend therethrough. Fastening members 534 may beconnected to the fastening members 520, thereby securing the clampbracket 508. The clamp bracket 508 may include a flange 536 thatprovides for engaging the support extension member 502. In oneembodiment, the flange 536 may be configured to be capable of beingcrushed or bent, thereby providing for clamping of the support extensionmember 502. Alternatively and/or additionally, flange 536 and supportextension member 502 may define openings (not shown) through which a setscrew or pin, such as a clevis pin, may pass and secure and preventsubstantial relative movement between the clamp bracket 508 to thesupport extension member 502. As a result, the clamp plates 506 may befixed in position relative to the support extension member 502, whilethe tension applied to the clamp plates 506 that sandwich the extensionarms 504 allows for individual rotation of the extension arms 504. As aresult, a user may individually adjust electronic displays about an axisdefined by the support extension member 502, in an azimuth plane, and inan elevation plane, thus providing for adjustment with four degrees offreedom.

Although the extension arms 504 are shown to be wedge shaped, it shouldbe understood that alternative shapes may be utilized in accordance withthe principles of the present invention. In this case, the wedge shapeactually reduces the amount of material and cost used to support theelectronic display. For example, if a 13-inch electronic display isused, then the dimensions of the extension arms tend to be longer andwider to provide sufficient angular distance between two electronicdisplays. If smaller electronic displays are used, then the extensionarms may be shorter in length, thereby using a smaller amount ofmaterial. A variety of factors may be utilized to determine size andshape of the extension arms 504, which may be more suitably termedrotation or adjustment arms as some extension arms may be circular and,therefore, not extend per se.

With regard to FIG. 6, an illustration of an assembled view of themulti-view display fixture assembly 500′ of FIG. 5 with one electronicdisplay 600 being supported thereby is shown. An electrical conductor602, which would extend through the support extension member 502 (FIG.5), if shown, passes through the flange 532 of the clamp bracket 508.The electrical conductor 602 is shown to pass through the channel 528 ofthe clamp plate 506 a and be separated into three electrical conductors602 a-602 c. Actually, each of the electrical conductors 602 a-602 c mayinclude two electrical conductors, a ground line and a positive voltageline, and include a connector that plugs into a jack or otherwise at theelectronic display 600. Alternative voltage levels may be utilized inaccordance with the principles of the present invention. Voltage signalsbeing conducted by the electrical conductors 602 a-602 c may be directcurrent (DC) or alternating current (AC) signals. In one embodiment, ifdata signals are to be communicated via wire, as opposed to usingwireless communications, to the electronic display 600, four electricalconductors may be utilized for the electrical conductor 602 a, wherebytwo power conductors and two or more signal conductors are included. Theelectrical conductors 602 a-602 c may be standard or proprietaryelectrical conductors.

With regard to FIG. 7, an illustration of an alternative illustrativemulti-view display cluster 700 is shown. The multi-view display cluster700 includes five electronic displays 702 a-702 e (collectively 702)that are mounted to and supported by individual adjustable spoke mountsor extension arms 704 a-704 e (collectively 704) that are adjustable inboth length and angular position. As shown, the extension arms 704 mayeach include one or more slides 706 a-706 e to allow for the extensionarms 704 to be adjusted radially inward and outward. Hub portions 708 ofthe extension arms 704 may be stacked on one another, where each hubportion may include an opening 710 through which an support extensionmember (not shown) may extend. To provide for angular rotation about thesupport extension member, one or more angular slots 712 may be definedby the hub portions 708. In an alternative embodiment, the hub portion712 may be configured similar to the representation in FIG. 5.

By providing for adjustable angular rotation and length of the extensionarms 704, the multi-view display cluster 700 may enable different sizedelectronic displays 702 to be utilized on the multi-view display cluster700. For example, if smaller electronic displays 702 are utilized, theradial extension of the extension arms 704 may be shorter than if largerelectronic displays 702 are utilized simply because less angulardistance is needed to prevent the electronic displays from contactingone another. By providing for angular adjustment, the electronicdisplays may be oriented to face arbitrary directions to maximize theability for shoppers to view an electronic display as the shopperstravel within wander areas. Providing for repositioning of theelectronic displays on the fixture further accommodates for store layoutchanges. It should be understood that the principles of the presentinvention also provide for fixed length and/or angles of the extensionarms that are uniform or non-uniform.

Power Outlet Box

With regard to FIG. 8A, an illustrative power outlet box 800 configuredto house a power supply (not shown) for powering electronic displays ona multi-view display cluster. Because of retail store fire coderegulations, power supplies are required to be positioned below theceiling, thereby enabling a problem or fire to be identified faster thanif the power supply were positioned above the suspended ceiling. Ifretail store regulations change, however, it should be understood thatthe power outlet box 800 may be configured to enable positioning abovethe suspended ceiling.

The power outlet box 800 may have a support bracket 802 that includes aflange 804 connected thereto. The support bracket 802 may attach to alower surface 806 of the power outlet box 800 and be configured tosupport a support extension member 808, such as a pole, that extendsdownward for supporting a multi-view display fixture assembly, such asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In supporting the support extension member 808,fastening members 810 may be utilized to extend through openings (notshown) in the support extension member 808. Alternative configurationsmay be utilized to secure the support extension member 808 to thesupport bracket 802.

As described with regard to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the power outlet box 800may be adapted to be connected to and supported by the electrical box210. While the power outlet box 800 is shown as a cube or rectangularcube, it should be understood that any other geometric configuration maybe utilized in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

With regard to FIG. 8B, the support bracket 802 is shown to be separatedfrom the power outlet box 800 and four fastening members 812, such asbolts, are shown to be aligned to extend through openings in a supportbracket 802 and openings 814 defined by the bottom surface 806 of thepower outlet box 800. The fastening members 812 are utilized to securethe support bracket 802 to the power outlet box, as shown in FIG. 5A.

With regard to FIG. 8C, the power outlet box 800 is shown to have twoportions, an upper box portion 816 a and a lower box portion 816 b(collectively 816). In one embodiment, the two box portions 816 areidentical and rotated 90 degrees from one another such that the two boxportions 816 mate with one another. By having identical shapes,production costs are reduced. Within the box may be a power supply (notshown) that receives AC power and converts the AC power into DC power(e.g., 120VAC to 12VDC) for delivery to the electronic displays on themulti-view display cluster. In an alternative embodiment, the powersupply may down-convert high voltage AC to low voltage AC power (e.g.,120VAC to 12VAC). In one embodiment, a terminal block (not shown) may behoused in the power outlet box 800. The terminal block may include threeor more pair of terminals for supplying power to the three or moreelectronic displays. Conductor wire pairs, not shown, may be connectedto the terminal block and extended through the support extension member808 (FIG. 8A). It should be understood that alternative electricalconfigurations may be utilized to power the electronic devices.

With regard to FIG. 8D, the upper box portion 816 a of the power outletbox 800 is shown to include mounting holes 818 defined by a top surface820 of the upper box portion 816 a. The mounting holes 818 are adaptedto enable attachment to an electrical box (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) within asuspended ceiling to which the power outlet box 800 being attached orotherwise adjoining. Power supply mounting holes 822 are shown to bedefined by a sidewall 824 of the upper box portion 816 a to enable apower supply (not shown) to be mounted thereto. Air holes 826 may alsobe provided along the side walls 824 of the upper box portion 816 a toprovide ventilation for the power supply.

The upper box portion 816 a may further include interlock tabs 828 thatare angled upward such that when identical interlock tabs on the lowerbox portion 816 b (FIG. 8B) of the power outlet box 800 mates with theinterlock tabs 828 of the upper box portion 816 a, the interlock tabs828 of the upper box portion 816 a support the interlock tabs of thelower box portion 816 b. This interlocking of the interlock tabs enablessomeone who is installing or repairing the power outlet box 800 to havethe upper box portion 816 a support the lower box portion 816 b, therebymaking it easier for installation and maintenance technicians to accesscomponents as the power outlet box 800 does not have to be completelytaken apart. Alternative configurations to provide easy access to theinside of the power outlet box 800 may be utilized, as well. However,the configuration shown herein uses minimal components, which makesproduction and installation costs particularly low.

With regard to FIG. 8E, a close up illustration of interlock box tabs828 a and 828 b of the upper and lower box portions 816 a and 816 b,respectively, of the power outlet box 800 are shown to interlock withone another. The interlocking of the interlock box tabs 828 a and 828 ballows the lower box portion 816 b to be supported by the upper portion828 a of the power outlet box 800 during installation and maintenance ofthe power outlet box 800. It should be understood that alternativeconfigurations of the interlock box tabs may be utilized to provide thesame or similar functionality in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention. It should further be understood that configurationsthat use alternative mechanisms (e.g., hinged door) for one portion ofthe power outlet box to gravitationally support another portion of thepower outlet box and provide the ability for a user to work within thepower outlet box without having to remove one of the portions arecontemplated in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

With regard to FIG. 9, a flow diagram of an illustrative process 900 forinstalling a multi-view display cluster in a retail store is shown. Theprocess 900 may start at step 902, where a safety tether may beconnected to a joist that supports a ceiling or roof of a building. Abracket connected to the safety tether may be mounted to or otherwisesupported by a suspended or suspended ceiling support at step 904. Atstep 906, an electrical box that is connected to the bracket may bealigned with an opening in a suspended ceiling, such as in a suspendedceiling tile. If an opening does not already exist, an installer maycreate an opening through which the electrical box may extend. At step908, electrical conductors from the electrical box may be electricallyconnected to a power supply in a power outlet box of a multi-viewdisplay cluster. The electrical conductors may be connected to anelectrical header, as understood in the art, or directly to the powersupply.

At step 910, the power outlet box may be connected to the electricalbox. The power outlet box may be aligned with and below the opening inthe suspended ceiling. A support extension member may be supported fromthe power outlet box at step 912. The support extension member may be atube that enables at least three electrical conductors, such as pairs ofconductive wires, to be extended therethrough. It should be understoodthat the electrical conductors may be incorporated into a single sleeve.At step 914, the electrical conductors may be connected to an output ofthe power outlet box, where the output may be a header block. At step916, a display bracket configured to support at least three electronicdisplays may be connected to the support extension member. The displaybracket may include at least three extension arms that are independentlypositionable, such as being rotatable, about the support extensionmember. At step 918, at least three electronic displays may be connectedto the display bracket if not already connected. The electronic displaysmay be connected to mounting structures at the ends of the extensionarms. At step 920, the conductive wires may be connected to respectiveelectronic displays.

Although shown as drawing power from above a suspended ceiling, theprinciples of the present invention are not limited to supporting themulti-view display cluster from a suspended ceiling. Alternativeembodiments may provide for pedestals, wall extenders, arms, polemounts, or any other support members to be utilized to support anddeliver power to the electronic displays. Furthermore, rather than usingindividual spokes or extension arms, a ring or any other geometric shapestructure (e.g., octagon) may be utilized to support the electronicdisplays and provide for individually adjustable angular, azimuth,and/or elevation orientation of the electronic displays. For example, ifa fixed structure (e.g., ring) is used, brackets that connect theelectronic displays to the structure may provide for both azimuth andelevation adjustment of the electronic displays to accommodate fordifferent environments in which the electronic displays are utilized.Various bracket mechanisms that prevent removal or tampering of theelectronic displays.

With regard to FIG. 10, a flow diagram of an illustrative process 1000for installing a power outlet box for powering an electronic displaydevice being suspended from the power outlet box is shown. The process1000 may start at step 1002, where the power outlet box may be suspendedfrom a ceiling. The power outlet box may have multiple portion that arevertically aligned. At step 1004, the power outlet box may be opened tobe in an open configuration. In the open configuration, a first portionof the power outlet box may gravitationally support a second portion ofthe power outlet box so as to enable a user to work within the poweroutlet box. At step 1006, the power outlet box may be electricallyconnected to a power source to power a power supply fixedly attachedwithin the power outlet box. At step 1008, the electronic display may beelectrically connected to the power supply. In electrically connecting,there may be a direct or indirect connection via another electricalcomponent, such as an electrical header. At step 1010, the power outletbox may be closed to be in a closed configuration. The closedconfiguration may utilize fastening hardware, such as screws, tomaintain the multiple portions of the power outlet box together. At step1012, the electronic display device may be suspended from the poweroutlet box. In one embodiment, multiple electronic display devices maybe suspended, where each of the electronic displays may be independentlypositionable about a support extension member being suspended from poweroutlet box. It should be understood that being suspended includes beingdirectly or indirectly suspended from the power outlet box.

Media Metrics

With further reference to FIG. 4, the multi-view display clusters 408are used to improve the ability for an electronic display network,including the electronic displays 418 in the aisles 402 and electronicdisplays 410 in the wander area 404, that is configured to displaycontent and deliver and audience in the wander area 404, as described inco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/368,232. The networkprovides for reach and frequency of view in the retail environment 400that results in media metrics that are substantially the same orbackwardly compatible as those on traditional television. When thenetwork of electronic displays is displaying content substantiallysimultaneously, substantially every shopper that enters the retail storeis reached by each advertisement when the network of electronic displaysis properly laid out consistent with the teachings described in the Ser.No. 12/368,232 patent application. As a result, the network of theelectronic displays 418 and 410 generally has the ability to reach eachof the shoppers throughout each of the shopping areas of the retailstore, including the wander areas. In order to effectuate reaching theshopping audience and provide frequency of view of advertisements andmessages in the wander areas, the electronic displays in the multi-viewdisplay clusters are sized and positioned based on resolution, viewingdistance, directions of travel toward a product display, screen, or zoneof activity, viewing angles of the individual electronic displays, andany other parameters that allow for shoppers to have the ability to viewat least one electronic display while shopping in the wander areas. Byconfiguring the electronic displays with these parameters, the devicesbecome passively visible to shoppers, which enables the shoppers to viewan electronic display without having to actively turn their head orattention to view the content being displayed thereon (i.e., theelectronic displays can be seen in their line-of-sight either directlyor in their peripheral vision when looking substantially forward in thedirection of travel).

As an example of positioning (i) the multi-view display cluster(s) 408in a wander area 404 and (ii) the electronic displays 410 in themulti-view display cluster(s) 408 in the wander area 404, if it isdetermined that a certain percentage of shoppers who travel through awander area travel in certain shopping paths 416 (e.g., 62% of shoppersin the wander area 404 travel to the banana display directly from thegrapes display, 25% of shoppers in the wander area travel to the bananadisplay directly from the lettuce display, and the remaining 13% ofshoppers in the wander area 404 travel to the banana display directlyfrom the pepper display), then the electronic displays 410 in themulti-view display cluster 408 a positioned above the banana display 406may be positioned to face the paths from which shoppers primarily travelto the banana display 406 (i.e., from the grapes, lettuce, and pepperdisplays) and the percentage of shoppers following this path toward thebananas (or zone in which the multi-view display cluster 408 a ispositioned) as compared to all shoppers who shop at the grocery storecan be determined to have had the opportunity to view a certain numberof advertisements or messages while in this location of the wander area404. It should be understood that the larger the wander area, the moremulti-view display clusters may be used to ensure that the media metricsare satisfied as distance and angle factors are to be satisfied toensure that substantially each shopper has an opportunity to view anelectronic display while traversing through the wander area. Audiencedelivery may be determined by aggregating the number of shoppers thatare in the wander area 404 over a given period of time. In measuring theaudience, the principle of the present invention may utilize shoppermeasurement and reporting techniques as described in co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. Nos. 12/848,852 filed Aug. 2, 2010; 12/848,861filed Aug. 2, 2010; and 13/052,946 filed Mar. 21, 2011, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

While reaching every shopper may be ideal, a lesser percentage, such as95%, may be acceptable. It should be understood that the overall reachto the shopping audience and frequency of view of advertisements andmessages by the shopping audience is enhanced by having the electronicdisplay clusters in the wander area 404 in addition to in the electronicdisplays in the aisles. If the multi-view display clusters were notpositioned in the wander areas, then there would be time lapses ofaudience viewership, thereby losing the ability to claim delivery of theshopping audience and frequency of view while the shoppers shop in thewander areas not so equipped.

Media metrics may be generated in a retail environment by arrangingmultiple electronic displays along aisles of a retail environment, andarranging at least one multi-view electronic display cluster includingat least three electronic displays in at least one wander area of theretail environment. The electronic displays arranged along the aislesand wander area may be arranged to present a shopper during a shoppingtrip in the retail environment with each message among multiplerepeating messages displayed substantially simultaneously (within a fewmilliseconds) on the electronic displays a predicted number of multipletimes. The predicted number of multiple times may be three. Arrangingthe electronic displays in the aisles and electronic displays of themulti-view electronic display cluster may include arranging theelectronic displays at substantially the same height above a floor ofthe retail environment.

While the use of a multi-view electronic display clusters reducesmanufacturing and installation costs, it should be understood thatalternative configurations of fixtures, including a single or doubleelectronic display per fixture, that extend from the ceiling may beutilized. In using such a configuration, multiple fixtures includingelectronic display(s) may be arranged in a similar manner as provided bythe multi-view electronic display clusters. In other words, mediametrics that are achieved using multi-view display clusters may beachieved using alternative configurations and are contemplated by theprinciples of the present invention.

The previous description is of a preferred embodiment for implementingthe invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily belimited by this description. The scope of the present invention isinstead defined by the following claims.

1. A multi-view electronic display fixture assembly, comprising: asupport extension member defining an axis extending longitudinallythrough said support extension member; at least three extension armsconfigured to (i) be supported by the support extension member whenextended from a ceiling and (ii) extend outward from the extensionmember, said at least three extension members further configured to beindependently rotatable about the axis; and mounting structurespositioned at an end of said at least three extension arms opposite fromsaid support extension member from which said at least three extensionarms are supported, said mounting structures configured to respectivelysupport electronic display devices.
 2. The multi-view electronic displayfixture assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least threeextension arms and said mounting structures are formed of a single pieceof material.
 3. The multi-view electronic display fixture assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least three extension arms includean opening disposed closer to an end opposite that of said mountingstructures, the opening being sized larger than that of a diameter ofsaid support extension member, thereby enabling said support extensionmember to pass through the opening of the three extension arms.
 4. Themulti-view electronic display fixture assembly according to claim 3,further comprising: a first clamp plate defining an opening being sizedlarger than the diameter of said support extension member and furtherdefining a plurality of smaller openings to enable fastening members topass therethrough; a second clamp plate defining an opening being sizedlarger than the diameter of said support extension member and having thefastening members affixed thereto and being aligned with the openings ofsaid first clamp plate to enable the fastening members to passtherethrough; and a clamp bracket defining an opening adapted to engagesaid support extension member and further defining a plurality ofsmaller openings aligned with the openings of said first clamp plate toenable the fastening members to pass therethrough, said clamp bracketconfigured to (i) be secured to said support extension member and (ii)support said first and second clamp plates and said at least threeextension arms, and wherein said first and second clamp plates arepositioned on opposite sides of said at least three extension arms andhaving fastening members pass through said first clamp plate and clampbracket about said support extension member, said at least threeextension arms are capable of being independently rotatable.
 5. Themulti-view electronic display fixture assembly according to claim 1,further comprising a power outlet box configured to house powerelectronics, said power outlet box including a bottom surface with afirst opening and a plurality of second openings positioned around thefirst opening and configured to enable fastening members to be insertedtherethrough, said support extension member including an openingextending longitudinally therethrough, the opening of said extensionmember being aligned with the first opening of the bottom surface ofsaid power outlet box to enable electrical conductors to pass throughthe first opening of the bottom and through the opening of saidextension member.
 6. The multi-view electronic display fixture assemblyaccording to claim 5, further comprising a clamp bracket including afirst opening and a plurality of second openings positioned about thefirst opening, the first opening and second openings being respectivelyaligned with the first and second openings of the bottom surface of saidpower outlet box, said clamp bracket being configured to support saidextension member when secured to the bottom surface of said power outletbox.
 7. A method configuring an electronic fixture display assembly,said method comprising: providing a support extension member; andsupporting at least three extension arms from the support extensionmember, the at least three extension arms being configured to supportrespective electronic displays and to be rotatably positionable relativeto the support extension member.
 8. The method according to claim 7,further comprising adjusting position of the at least three extensionarms relative to one another.
 9. The method according to claim 7,further comprising attaching the respective electronic displays to theat least three extension arms.
 10. The method according to claim 7,further comprising: providing a power outlet box; and supporting thesupport extension member from the power outlet box.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10, further comprising connecting at least three pairof electrical conductors between a power source in the power outlet boxand the electronic display devices.
 12. The method according to claim 7,wherein supporting the at least three extension arms from the supportextension member includes clamping the at least three extension armswith a force that allows each of the extension arms to independentlyrotate axially around the extension member.
 13. The method according toclaim 7, wherein securing the at least three extension arms includesfastening a fastening member to the extension member and securing the atleast three extension arms with the fastening member.
 14. A method forinstalling a multi-view display cluster in a retail environment,comprising: connecting a safety tether to a joist that supports aceiling of a building, mounting a bracket connected to the safety tetherto a suspended ceiling support, the bracket including an electrical boxconnected thereto; aligning the electrical box with an opening in thesuspended ceiling, the electrical box configured to provide power to atleast three electronic displays of the multi-view display cluster;electrically connecting electrical conductors from the electrical box toa power supply in a power outlet box of the multi-view display cluster;mechanically connecting the power outlet box to the electrical box, thepower outlet box being aligned with and positioned below the opening inthe suspended ceiling; supporting a support extension member from theelectrical outlet box; connecting at least two electrical conductors toan output of the power outlet box; suspending a display mounting bracketfrom the extension support member, the display mounting bracketconfigured to support at least three electronic displays; connecting theat least three electronic displays to the display mounting bracket ifnot already connected; and electrically connecting the at least twoelectrical conductors to the at least three electronic displays.
 15. Themethod according to claim 14, wherein suspending the display mountingbracket includes suspending at least three extension arms from thesupport extension member.
 16. The method according to claim 15, whereinsuspending the at least three extension arms includes clamping the atleast three extension arms so as to be in a stacked arrangement alongthe support extension member, the clamping enabling independent rotationof the at least three extension arms.
 17. The method according to claim15, further comprising independently positioning each of the at leastthree extension arms.
 18. The method according to claim 14, whereinelectrically connecting the at least two electrical conductors includesconnecting the at least two electrical conductors to an electricalterminal block within the electrical outlet box without completelyseparating a housing of the electrical outlet box.
 19. The methodaccording to of claim 14, further comprising: positioning the multi-viewdisplay cluster over a product display; and aligning each of the atleast three electronic displays with pathways via which a customer cantravel toward the product display.
 20. The method according to claim 14,further comprising aligning the at least three electronic displays at aheight above a floor of the retail store that is substantially the sameheight as other electronic displays configured to display the samecontent as the at least three electronic displays.
 21. A method forgenerating media metrics in a retail environment, said methodcomprising: arranging a plurality of electronic displays along aisles ofthe retail environment; and arranging at least one multi-view electronicdisplay cluster including at least three electronic displays in at leastone wander area of the retail environment, the electronic displaysarranged along the aisles and wander area being arranged to present ashopper during a shopping trip in the retail environment with eachmessage among multiple repeating messages displayed substantiallysimultaneously on the electronic displays a predicted number of multipletimes.
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the predictednumber of multiple times is three.
 23. The method according to claim 21,wherein arranging the electronic displays in the aisles and electronicdisplays of the multi-view electronic display cluster includes arrangingthe electronic displays at substantially the same height above a floorof the retail environment.